As a non-profit fundraiser (I never know whether to preface that with the word “former” or not), and someone interested in promoting the cause of peace and justice for Israelis and Palestinians, I thought I’d do a special year-end post offering ideas for those of my readers thinking about year-end charitable contributions.
But first a word about tzedakah. It comes from the word tzedek or “justice.” I’ve always admired tzedakah much more than the wimpy Latin ‘charity’ (or caritas) since the former is never accompanied by the notion of noblesse oblige as charity or philanthropy often do. No, tzedakah is a mitzva, an obligation. But a joyful one. We are commanded to give tzedakah, not encouraged. It is an affirmative obligation as a Jew.
So I hope even though you may have little, that you’ll preserve a small amount to help those who may not have your advantages in this holiday season. The following is a short list of worthy Israeli and Jewish groups promoting Israeli-Palestinian peace which are worthy of your giving. A few years back, I wrote an expanded version of Israeli and Palestinian online peace resources. You may find many more ideas for giving if you visit those posts:
Parent’s Circle
Americans for Peace Now
Israel Policy Forum
Brit Tzedek
Jewish Voice for Peace
Neve Shalom
Jewish Peace Lobby
B’Tselem
New Israel Fund
Give. Give generously. And to put in a shameless plug here, my blog always gratefully accepts gifts from readers.
Few more decent orginazations:
http://www.arikpeace.org
http://www.seedsofpeace.org
http://www.mideastweb.org
http://www.ipcri.org
http://www.amilimani.com
regimechangeiniran.com
http://www.lauramansfield.com
samharris.org
http://www.democracyforamerica.com
no money to:
chabad
Discovery Institute intelligent design
kabalah
orthodox fundamentalists
reform
conservative
yeshivot
kasherut
rabbis
saints
faith based
Happy Hannuka!
AIPAC
Republicans
Shalom javer.
I am the publisher of Herut, blog in spanish. I invite you to visit Herut and to leaving your commentaries. Excuse me, but my English is very bad. The direction is:
http://www.herutx.blogspot.com
Steven: I agree w. most of yr positive recommendations w. the exception of MideastWeb. I’m not familiar with RegimeChangeIran.com, but from the sound of it I want nothing to do with it.
I also strongly disagree with your negative recommendations about Reform & Conservative Judaism and rabbis. You’re entitled to yr own opinions on these matters. But why tell others not to support them? That strikes me as presumptuous.
Though I rather agree w. yr negative view about Orthodox Judaism at least as its practiced by many (though not all) Orthodox Jews.